FREDERICK, Md. (AP) — When Destiny Dixon is handed an assignment to write eight to nine sentences, she usually writes a whole page.

“I just love to write,” she said.

Destiny, 11, recently used her love of writing to do something not many of her fellow sixth-graders at Gov. Thomas Johnson Middle School can say they’ve done — publish a book.

Her latest work, “The Mystery of Lake Hosey High,” was self-published in December by her father, Larry Dixon, as a
surprise Christmas present. “I like to read and I like to write, so I think it’s really cool I published my own book,” Destiny said.

The 60-page book follows high schoolers Izzy Summers and Nicole Baker as they try to solve the mystery of why their teacher disappeared.

Destiny said she was inspired by her love of mysteries and excitement about the prospect of high school. The book is available for purchase at lulu.com.

While “The Mystery of Lake Hosey High” is Destiny’s first published book, family members say she has been writing since she learned how.

Her first project was her own take on “The Wizard of Oz,” starring her grandparents and mother as the main characters.

In editing “The Mystery of Lake Hosey High,” Dixon said he didn’t have to make many changes to his daughter’s work.

“I want to be humble, but I always knew she was a genius,” he said.

It took Destiny about six to seven months to write the book, which she started when she was visiting her father.

The two were bored one day, so they started writing a story.

After that, Destiny would bring more chapters for Dixon to edit when she returned to visit.

“It was a surprise to me, too,” he said.

Destiny said she is working on a sequel in which the mystery of Lake Hosey High will be solved, but she does not have any other books planned.

When she grows up she would like to be a professional writer, a fashion designer or maybe a combination of both, but right now she is pleased with the way her first book turned out, she said.